Metal awning



L. J. PLYM METAL. AWNING Jan. 29, 1952 Filed Feb. 9, 1946 wanton" I Patented Jan. 29, 1952 METAL AWNING Lawrence J. Plym, Niles, Mich., assignor to The Kawneer Company, Niles, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application February 9, 1946, Serial No. 646,653

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to a novel awning and especially to a novel metal awning comis to provide a novel construction of metal awning formed of a plurality of relatively narrow slats so joined or assembled as to eliminate the use of straps, tapes, rivets, and the like, and thereby materially reducing the cost of manufacture.

A further object of theinvention is the provision of a metal awning in which a plurality of relatively narrow slats are so constructed, arranged and articulated as to permit the awning to be readily rolled into a minimum of space, or unrolled as the occasion requires. This novel construction and design permits a smooth and compact rolling operation in opening and closing of the awning, and due to the shape or con.- tour of these slats lends itself to modern styling.

The invention further comprehends a novel means and manner of locking together the individual slats to thereby allow for the easy and quick removal and replacement of one or more slats, if damaged. Furthermore, by reason of this novel locking means and the elimination of all straps, tapes, rivets and other means required in the assembly of prior forms of metal awnings, more footage of awning may be provided in a given diameter set up by the standard awning hardware.

Another important feature of the present invention is the construction of the individual sections or slats and the manner of joining them together. This creates a slight crown which compensates for the sag created by the weight of the metal.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efiiciency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the constructlon, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, features and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the novel awning partly unrolled.

I Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view showing the manner of locking adjoining sections or slats together.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in end elevation of the sections or slats shown in Fig. 2.. i 4 is a view in vertical cross-section taken in a plane represented by the line 44 of Fig. 2, the view being taken in the direction of the arrows. I

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawing, the novel metal awning is shown as mounted upon a suitable roller I having its ends 2 journalled in end brackets. One end of the awning 3 is secured to the roller and the opposite end is free, but adjacent its free end is provided with a transverse bar, rod or pipe ,4, to which may be secured suitable supporting arms for retaining the awning in a desired open position.

The novel awning consists of articulated sections or slats 5 disposed across the awning with each slat having its opposite edges 6 and I bent or rolled in such manner as to provide complementary parts of a hinge construction. These rolled edges 6 and l interengageas more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and are so designed as to eliminate any chance of a metal rattle usually present in awnings composed of metallic parts when the wind, is blowing. To prevent accidental or unintentional separation of the sections or slats 5, each section or slat is provided at one edge with suitably spaced slots or cutouts 8, and at the other rolled edge is bent upwardly or outwardly at 9 and received in the slots whereby to prevent disengagement of the slats and limit their relative movement.

As more clearly shown in Fig. 4, the part 9 extends upwardly or outwardly sufficiently to form a stop or abutment against which the edge of the cut-out or slot engages when the awning is in its open position.

From the above description and the disclosure in the drawing, it will be readily apparent that the invention comprehends a novel metal awning composed of a plurality of relatively narrow metal slats or sections so interlocked in their assembly as to eliminate the use of tapes, straps, rivets, etc. for connecting the slats together. This greatly improves the appearance and reduces the cost to a minimum.

The present awning construction permits a smooth and compact rolling operation, both in opening and closing, and eliminates the pos-- sibility of a metal rattle between the slats by reason of the novel manner of articulating these sections. It further permits the quick and easy removal or replacement of one or more slats from any position in the assembly should the occasion require. It also allows for the addition of slats in the field if the awning is to be made wider. Aluminum or any other preferably non-ferrous metal may be employed. I

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. In a metal awning, a series of metal slats extending the length of the awning and each slat having its longitudinal edges bent to provide complementary hinge elements, one of said hinge elements having a recess therein and the other provided with an abutment extending into said recess of the adjacent slat; said abutment engaging the ends of said recess to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the slats, and engaging aside of said recess for limiting the movement of the hinge elements in one direction.

2. In a metal awning, a flexible curtain comprising a plurality of relatively narrow, thin sheet metal slats disposed in generally parallel side-by-side relationship with each other; hinge means connecting the adjacent edges of adjoining slats and consisting of a rolled head portion on each edge of each of the slats in loose hinging engagement with a. mating rolled bead portion on the adjacent edge of another of said slats, together with interlocking means for preventing relative longitudinal movement of adjacent slats and limiting the hinging movement thereof; said interlockin means consisting of a recess in one of the slats adjacent one edge thereof and abutment on an adjacent slat extending into said recess; said abutment engaging the ends of said recess and preventing relative longitudinal movement between the slats, and engaging a side of said recess to limit the relative hinging movement between said slats.

3. Ina metal awning, a flexible curtain comprising a plurality of relatively narrow, thin sheet metal slats disposed in generally parallel side-by-side relationship with each other; hinge means connecting the adjacent edges of adjoining slats and consisting of a rolled bead portion on each edge of each of the slats in loose hinging engagement with a mating rolled bead portion on the adjacent edge of another of said slats, togetherrwith interlocking means for preventing relative longitudinal movement of adjacent slats 4 and limiting the hinging movement thereof; said interlocking means consisting of a recess in the bead portion on one of the edges of each of said slats, and abutment integral with the mating bead portion of another ofsaid slats and exside-by-side relationship with each other; hinge i means connecting the adjacent edges of adjoinin slats and consisting of a rolled bead portion on each edge of each of the slats in loose hinging engagement with a mating rolled bead portion on the adjacent edge of another of said slats, together with interlocking means for preventing relative longitudinal movement of adjacent Slate and limitin the hinging movement thereof; said interlocking means consisting of an open cutout notched recess extending inwardly from the free edge of the bead portion of one of said slats to a point on the exposed surface thereof, and a sheet metal tab integral with the mating bead portion of another of said slats and extending outwardly from said bead portion and through said recess; said tab engaging the ends of said recess and preventing relative longitudinal movement between the slats, and engaging the closed side of said recess to limit the relative hinging movement between said slats;

LAWRENCE J. PLYM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

